A cloud of unhealthy haze has settled across the Thai capital Bangkok, shrouding the gilded temples and towering buildings that draw millions of tourists to the city each year.

Volunteers have handed out green pollution masks to residents of India's capital to make a statement about the city's choking smog.

A new environmental police squad will root out illegal burning in Beijing, the latest government response to the widespread public anger over China's persistent problems with smog.

Beijing and other cities across northern and central China were shrouded in thick smog on Monday, prompting authorities to delay dozens of flights and close highways.

Rome and Milan have ordered no-car days next week to combat pollution, which has hit unhealthy levels for weeks mainly because no rain has fallen to wash away the smog.

Beijing was enveloped in eye-watering, throat-irritating smog on Saturday as the second red alert of the month went into effect in the Chinese capital, forcing many cars off the roads and restricting factory production.

Pollutants have been reduced by a third in Beijing during this week’s temporary restrictions to reduce heavy smog, China’s environment ministry said.

Smog hovered over Beijing as limits on cars, factories and construction remained in force after the city imposed its first red alert for air pollution.

Schools closed and rush-hour roads have been much quieter than normal as Beijing invoked its first-ever red alert for smog.

Beijing has issued its first red alert for smog.

Air pollution in Beijing reached hazardous levels as smog engulfed large parts of the country despite efforts to clean up the foul air.

Sunny days have been found to trigger the release of potentially harmful smog from grime which coats buildings, statues, and other outdoor surfaces in city areas.

Saharan red dust from the continent could cause problems for those with breathing difficulties, as experts have warned of spikes in air pollution causing smog to build over Britain.

Authorities have put in place 24-hour emergency measures to limit traffic after record levels of pollution in the French capital.

World powers are running out of time to cut their use of high-polluting fossil fuels and stay below agreed limits on global warming, a draft UN study to be approved this week shows.

The Olympia, Dublin